PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cam Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maurice Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lawson
vs
Smith

180 cm
28
150 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

161 cm
21
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Good knees
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cam Lawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Maurice Smith!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Donatello Bradman and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Lawson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith tries to land a leg kick but Lawson saw it coming and moves away.
Smith shoots and misses
and Lawson counters with a nice kick to the body.
Lawson tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lawson's guard.
Lawson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith is pushing down on Lawson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lawson is fighting to maintain full guard but Smith has managed to sneak the leg through.
Smith prevents Lawson from improving his position.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lawson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lawson wants to get back to his feet.
Lawson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith stops Lawson from getting back to his feet.
Lawson won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Lawson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lawson defending well though.

Smith seems to be working for a kimura but Lawson defends the submission attempt.
Lawson is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
Lawson is trying to stand back up but Smith is controlling him
Smith looks to land a strike but Lawson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Lawson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Lawson passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Lawson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cam Lawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maurice Smith.
Lawson tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Lawson.
Lawson tries to clinch but Smith moves away

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is fighting to break Lawson's control of his arms but Lawson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith trying to control but Lawson is working from the bottom.
Lawson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lawson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Smith seems keen to control Lawson's posture.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Lawson's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurice Smith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lawson blocks a leg kick.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lawson is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Lawson. Lawson gets slowly back to his feet.
Lawson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Lawson's head.
Lawson stuffs the takedown.
Lawson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith swings widly with a right hand
and Lawson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith with a poor takedown
and Lawson counters with a good, hard body kick but Smith shrugs it off.
Cam Lawson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maurice Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Lawson decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Lawson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Smith turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lawson is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lawson to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson trying to control the position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Lawson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Lawson to regain full guard.
Smith throws a strike but Lawson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lawson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smith is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand up but Lawson is controlling him.
Lawson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smith's guard.
Smith managing to control the position.
Smith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Lawson.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Maurice Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith shoots and misses
and Lawson counters with a good, hard body kick but Smith shrugs it off.
Smith misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Maurice Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lawson is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith throws a nice outside leg kick.
Smith misses with a right hand
and Lawson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Lawson tries to improve position but can't.
Lawson is working hard here to advance position.
Smith misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Lawson can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson dodges the ground and pound from Smith.
Smith working the strikes but Lawson uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Smith working over Lawson with some ground and pound. Lawson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Lawson is defending the position.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lawson defending well though.
Lawson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith trying to mount his opponent but Lawson defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Maurice Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith misses with a head shot. Lawson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lawson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lawson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lawson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lawson wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.

Smith has gone for a leg lock! Lawson slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.
Smith wants to stand up but Lawson is controlling him.
Maurice Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is adopting a defensive guard.
Cam Lawson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Maurice Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Smith throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lawson gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maurice Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurice Smith!
Maurice Smith took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Brazil War House (Laundry 90%) for their support in the buildup to the fight.